I picked up this book in my local library due to my interest about the Edwardian period. I was looking for something that could explain to me what ‘art nouveau’ meant in the way of its culture.
I’m fascinated by the Edwardian period due to the many changes that were taking place during this time. A technological age was emerging at a rapid rate, women were demanding the vote, and the lower classes were starting to question the differences between their class and of the upper class.
Vivienne explains the fundamentals of the art movement, the influences on it and talks of the living things such as insects, birds, reptiles, nature, mythical creatures, and the female form, which brought into the forefront an ‘awareness of the feminine’.
I also found interesting how the book covers the history within Europe and the United States.
This particular book is possibly the most comprehensive book I’ve seen to date. I loved this book as I found it so easy to read. I found it fascinating how an art-style had such a fundamental effect on the society of the day due to its often very feminine style.
The beautiful collection of prints within this book are certainly an asset for collectors and artists alike.
